Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1887-09-17
THE MEDICINE Fer ANARCHISTS

The final condemnation of the Chicago
Anachists energies the growing sentiment
that for all that class Of people the privh-
eyes of free speech and assembly they now
enjoy should be abridged.
1t has been said that this cpTtd neebe
done without endangering t'ae substantial
rights and liberties Of all citizens; that if 1t
is once conceded that the right OF free
speech and of assembly, and TO write and
print ones sentiments may by cut short,
there will be TO possibility Of placing
limit upon restriction that May run'to the
total destruction of our liberties. But
the idea is nevertheless hourly gaining
ground that there must be restriction
placed upon these rights greaterthan now
imposed. or the edi4ice Of the Government
viii be endangered.
The thought is steadily expanding that
the governmental system does hot exist
which is strong enough TO Perm4t%wfth
equanimity assault upon itselffrom within,
designed for its destruction. We GER
tainly are upon the threshold of the ques-
ton whether we can better afford 10 put
further limitation upon free speech and
free press, or invite the graHer risk of the
abuse of those rights to ahe extent OF en-
couraging, by silence, vicious assault upon
the theory and system of Our Government,
coupled with Ihe attempt to consummate
It's overthrow by the preaching of per-
nicious doctrines and the arraying of the
baser elements against society.
The REcoRDI MON is happily con-
scious of the fact that for years II has ad-
vocated such policy toward the Anarch-
lists and extreme Socialists as would, by
force If need be, close their mouths against
the public advocacy of their infamous doc
trines. 1t has held that TO preach the
overthrow of the Government and advise
the destruction of American institutions,
is neither right nor a prizilegeunder the
Constitution and the laws, and'does not at
tach to any of the frerogatives of Ameri-
can citizenship or the privileges OF resi-
dence of aliens among AS. 1t has uni
formly contended that there was need for
laws specially aimed against the murderous
assemblies, the conspiracies and the abomi-
nable preachmgs of the Anarchist crew,
and to prohibit their marching through
streets and upon highways bearing their
symbols Of fire and destruction, and threat
ening property with the torch and citizens
with death.
1t viii be remembered thai, at the time
such views were first advanced, it was
warmly contcnded by such Of the press as
is over;iealous Of rigors of government,
and fearful Of any trespasses whatever
upon the right to freely write and speak
and to assemble and debate, that such en-
actments would be extremely dangerous,
because it would be impossible to limit the
restrictions save by the conservatism of
the party that might wicld the power OF
the majority in legislative assemblies. and
therefore the substructurai principles OF
personal liberty under our system would
be endangered by being placed 1t political
mercy 1t was held also that the present
laws against crime are ample to meet the
cases of the Anarchists and radical Social
lists. That when they commit crime,
are guilty OF any infractiGn of
the laws or trespasses upon the
peace Of society, they may he effect
ually checked and punished under the
statutes against lawlessness generally; bat
that TO specifically define as criminal the
prcachings and osispiracies and iuAamma-
tory parading OF the red flag fraternity
would be to recognize them beyond their
Importance, as Il menace to the country
and to introduce rev and dangereas dee
trines concerning political crimes
But the observant reader of the times
will have noted THAT recently these sfttra-
conservative friends of the American svs-
TEN have not only been shaken in their
protest, but have we'll nigh ceased tie enter
it. Indeed, it is mot going too far 10
ray liidA Atlt tltN chAIii- Ndilll dllI tGtc1l-
mined sentiment of Americans, favors she
policy of recognition of anarchicai tcadis-
ings as specially crin:anal, and the assem-
bling of these eliemies Of society a. cen
spiracies against order2, government. Nor
does there exist in the publicm mind ans fear
that such recognition a ill endanger free
,ls.iIfra
of the press, or narrow the right Of tie
people 10 assemble and discuss questions
relating 20 their government
In other words, it is ieoauling-and We
held il to:be in the order OF the natural
evolution e. a republican systeps-the pub
lie conviction that there should be no
guarantee to, enemies Of democratic insti-
tutions to pot and preach their over
throw. As the San Francisco B,6lotin well
remarks:
Ifaman should set up aud advise auoster to
commit robbery, or burn Il house. or kill
human being, we certainly know what ia do
with him. The Law viii moi hold him gtIilt.Sss
on the contrary, it sGeords him the t9laee OF
principal. The fact siat the agitator mgkss
these evil suggestions &c a crowd rather ihauits
a single individual, does not in the least altes
the case. The offense is she same and shosIid
he punished in the same Way. This is in efieo:
the lazy which has been ;aie down by the SN-
preme Ceurt of Illinois. Thee is only this al.
di,ional fact.-the condemned sere engaged in
the manufacture of the bombs which were used
on the fatal occasion in question. No doubt the
freedom of discussion and the right of public
assemblsge mus be main aimed TO the utmost
But there can be no free speech about indis-
criminste murder, pillage aud arson. Nor j.
there any need ford!le use of the bomb for the
renodeiing OF our Government, when the votes
of d majority can accomplish any chsnge i5a;
may be desired in its Constitution.
The Anarchist is not an output of our
civilization. he is a prod,set of Eurcpea,l
morarehial system lie ecnes to Us witl